Have One on Me - Joanna Newsom | B+

     Joanna Newsom's third full-length album Have One on Me is quite ambitious. It features the same squeaky — sometimes freaky — vocals, idiosyncratic pronunciations and eloquent harp skills that the previous Ys did, but it delves much deeper. While Ys had only five 10-minute-long tracks, Have One on Me is a triple album broken up into three parts, each six tracks long, which runs for a total of two hours. The segmented album allows listeners to start and stop listening, rather than listening all in one sitting. In total, the album is a bit difficult to take in at first and may require multiple listens before really getting into it. An early standout from the first part of the album is the track "Good Intentions Paving Company" which features climbing, jazzy piano melodies and impressive vocal harmonies. It's very upbeat and has a different tone than the rest of the album. The next track, "No Provenance," slows down and evokes a more somber tone through Newsom's twinkling harp plucking and soft vocals.
     The second part's most notable track, "In California," demonstrates vulnerability and depth on the strange songstress's behalf. Her voice climbs to impressive heights and dips often while singing about her lover visiting her in California. The third part of the album lags a little bit, but is made memorable by the final track, "Does Not Suffice." The slow, sorrowful ballad mostly features piano as opposed to the orchestral accompaniment featured throughout the album. The song ends on a melancholic note, but is undoubtedly sublime.
While Have One on Me takes a bit of commitment on behalf of listeners, those who are dedicated will surely not be disappointed.